Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau known for ethic, results

For a brief moment in front of the Boston Celtics’ bench Monday night, in a nationally televised Eastern Conference finals game, Tom Thibodeau was the only coach standing as he called out defensive sets.

Steve C. Wilson/The Associated PressBoston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, pictured with the Houston Rockets coaching staff in 2007, is expected to receive a contract offer from the New Orleans Hornets by the end of the week.Since joining Doc Rivers’ staff in 2007, Thibodeau has been the Celtics’ defensive guru. He helped them win their first NBA championship in 22 years against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008. Thibodeau’s defensive strategy helped hold Lakers star Kobe Bryant to 40 percent shooting in the rugged six-game series.

With the Celtics on the verge of returning to the NBA Finals again under Thibodeau’s defensive direction, the New Orleans Hornets plan to offer him their vacant head coaching job by the end of this week.

It is not known if Thibodeau will accept the Hornets’ offer. The Chicago Bulls and New Jersey Nets also want to interview him for their vacant head-coaching positions.

“Tom is a well-rounded coach that’s not just a great defensive coach, ’’ former New York Knicks and Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. ”He has a brilliant basketball mind, has a tremendous work ethic and the ability to communicate with all players.’’

After an extensive search in which eight candidates were interviewed, the Hornets think Thibodeau can turn them back into playoff contenders in the Western Conference. This past season, the Hornets finished 37-45, including 34-39 under Jeff Bower, who replaced Byron Scott nine games into the regular season. Bower stepped down as coach after the season but retained his job as general manager.

Rivers does not allow his assistants to speak to the media, but former Celtics player and coach Tom Heinsohn said he noticed how Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen quickly adapted to Thibodeau’s system three seasons ago.

“Most of these guys that coach have all these revolving defenses, but he emphasizes playing the gaps and defending the perimeter, ’’ Heinsohn said.

“Against the Magic, they are playing Dwight Howard straight up and are sticking to everyone on the perimeter. They are gambling that Howard won’t score 50 points every game.’’

Thibodeau, 50, is from New Haven, Conn., and got his first coaching job at his alma mater, Salem (Mass.) State College, in 1981. He has never been a head coach but has been an NBA assistant since 1989 after getting his start with then expansion Minnesota Timberwolves. Other coaching stops for Thibodeau have included the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.

Thibodeau was with the Knicks when they advanced to the NBA Finals in 1999 but lost to San Antonio in the strike-shortened season.

In 2000-01, Thibodeau’s defensive plans helped the Knicks set a then-NBA record of holding 33 consecutive opponents to fewer than 100 points.

From 2004 to ’07, Thibodeau helped the Rockets rank in the top five in scoring defense and defensive field-goal percentage. In his 19 years as an assistant, Thibodeau-coached teams have ranked in the top 10 in team defense 15 times.

“What I’ve experienced from chatting with him is that he is certainly knowledgeable about the game, ’’ Heinsohn said. ”He’s got a feel for personnel and how they fit into an overall scheme. I don’t know if he is responsible for motivating, but he breaks every thing down defensively. He’s a good teacher.’’

Former Hornets forward P.J. Brown, who played for Thibodeau and the Celtics when they won the championship in 2008, said he remembers a coach who constantly stayed in his office breaking down tapes and was very thorough when he spoke about defensive game plans.

“He puts a lot of time into it, ’’ Brown said. ”He’s always been focused on defense, and that’s why we were one of the top defensive teams in the league. I think that’s what helped us win that championship in Boston.’’